Dangerous Illusions

Two

Other than our little chat, that class, and the rest of my other classes were pretty mundane. However, one thing that I was looking forward to was leaving early.

Being a senior got its perks, meaning leaving a period before all of the underclassmen since seniors don't have to take another year of science, unless you were a nerd. I however, was not a nerd so that meant I could go my merry little way to get food with the whole group.

Although, I only had classes with Summer, I still have three lovable weirdos who make my high school experience less disgusting. Grayson, Summer, Liam, Trevor, Nina and I had spent the whole summer partying, having sleepovers, and going to the lake. Basically every teenagers dream. We had also made a promise that in our senior year, we all took sixth our off and spend lunch together, today's destination, Los. Los Deliciosos is the locally chained tex-mex restaurant we have around here, and they serve the best chorizo burritos.

As I enter I realize that the rest of the gang hasn't made their welcoming arrival, other than Liam. His sandy blonde hair, piercing green eyes, and tanned complexion gives off major Nate Archibald vibes, that is if Nate Archibald was a frat boy. Even though we haven't graduated yet, I can already tell that Liam is going to rush in college, he has everything, even the puka shell necklaces.

"Hey! How was your first day back?" I ask, while pulling up a chair. I am greeted with a big steaming plate of carne asada fries and the same curly headed Liam wearing a shirt I am very familiar with, well, I'm more familiar seeing it on my bedroom floor once or twice. He wore different shirts the other times, I guess this was his favorite.

"It sucked, but I honestly didn't pay attention that much," he says. Liam may have a lot of unredeemable qualities, however, the worst would be being insanely smart, but get too lazy to actually try. Liam can get by by just acing the tests, without turning any of the classwork or homework due. The dude is taking differential equations this year, but you would never know because he hides all of his intelligence in the whole frat boy facade.

"I heard Grayson got out benched by some dude today?" I ask, wanting to know if he had any information about that mysterious boy I had encountered during English.

"Oh yea, Ryder. He's our new running back, and by the way I've seen him practice, I can tell we are in for a really good season," he replies.

I reach for some carne asada fries and I'm greeted by a smack on my hand, "Hey! That hurt, you can't just smack a girl like that out of nowhere!" I say, I was really looking forward to those fries, they looked really good and all I've eaten today was a slim jim and an iced coffee.

"Well, if my memory serves me correct," He begins, inching closer, "you enjoyed the way I smack."

The timing could not be better, as the rest of my friends enter the restaurant and sees me as red as a tomato and Liam with a triumphant grin on his face. That little minx.

"Well what do we have here? Is this going to be Fourth of July part two?" Grayson jokes. The whole group has been convinced by yours truly that Liam and I was a one time thing. The "come home with me" text I just received from Liam shows that it is definitely not. It's not like I want to keep it a secret because it will ruin my reputation, I think keeping it a secret makes it better, and it gives it a sense of mystery both Liam and I enjoy.

On my way home, I noticed the very same boy I had just met today, next to a girl with sunkissed skin, dark earthy hair that lay down her back, basically a carbon copy of Ryder, except she was a girl. They seemed to be in a deep conversation, so I didn't want to intrude. So I decided to ignore it and drove home.

____

With my hair in a high pony, my shoes neatly tied, and my tank top and soffee shorts, I am officially ready. Entering through the doors, I bask in the smell of our gym. Nine black cheer mats neatly placed in the center, and my friends already placed their things on the floor directly in front. The gym itself isn't that lavish, it is public high school after all. One downside towards this gym is that the time slots for practice time are always favored for the other sports, meaning we don't get any AC or athletic trainers if any of us get injured. Also Meaning that if any girl gets her teeth kicked in, a black eye, or a concussion (all instances have happened in the past), it is up to them and their families to rush to the ER. Which is weird when all of our state and national titles is what makes up a majority of our sports teams awards.

"Hello everyone, for those of you who don't know me, I am Coach Mandy, and I would like to welcome everyone for this years season."

One thing I will surely miss? Cheer. Even in pop warner cheer at a young age, I always loved it. Now, as a senior, I am finally able to accept my proper place. Cheer captain.

"Now, as a part of tryouts, I will need everyone to start warming up their running tumbling, so form two corners, and I can assess you through there." Coach Mandy instructs and all of the girls and boys does what she says.

To my trek to the corners, I spot the exact same girl Ryder was talking to earlier, I think I should introduce myself.

I make sure I stand next to her in line and I finally attack.

"Hey, I'm Tala!" I invitingly remark, "Is this your first time trying out for Northridge?"

"Yeah, actually my family just moved here, I used to cheer for Central back in California," she replies and kind of caught me off guard. In the cheer world, Central and Northridge always were head to head in Nationals. So I know for a fact she'll be an asset for our team.

"That's so cool! But how would your old team react with cheering with the enemy?" I ask, we both inch to the front of the line, and I make sure my demeanor is friendly. Although I was trying to get information out of her, she also seems like a pretty cool person who I'd want to get to know.

"After some tears, laughs, and a couple threats from my teamates, they were pretty much onboard. They were happy that I was able to be with a team who wouldn't bring me down," she says, chuckling. Our conversation is stopped abruptly when we come t the realization that it's her turn.

"Oh, I almost forgot, I'm Riley," and in that moment, if there wasn't any evidence I was living out of some romcom, this was proof. Right after her comment, Riley threw the cleanest whip through to full. I immediately want to be her best friend.